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Post by hoparillo on Oct 24, 2007 0:28:41 GMT -5
I was perusing through the Best of Amarillo and couldn't find a category for best fine dining establishment. Of course, there's so many categories I could have just missed it. I saw where Marty's won best place for business followed by OHMS in 2nd place with Amarillo Club and Macaroni Joe's Pasta House tyeing for 3rd. I've never been to Marty's but I certainly wouldn't put OHMS or Macaroni Joe's in the same category as Amarillo Club. If you've had an opportunity to experience two or more of these establishments for business lunches or otherwise, share with us where each restaurant excels and areas for improvement. Let's not go into personal attacks, just off a true patron feedback. I'll start to process some of my own thoughts and check back in later.  |
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Post by mustakister on Oct 24, 2007 23:24:43 GMT -5
I think OHMS is the best restaurant in Amarillo in any category. Amarillo Club is fine if you're looking for the exclusive type atmosphere w/ good service - I just don't think their food is anything to get excited about. Marty's is average at best. I haven't tried Macaroni Joe's in about a year, but I know that there have been changes in management / ownership and it has been reportedly inconsistent. MJ's has a neat atmosphere and decent service for Amarillo, but the food is not as good as OHMS, in my opinion.
The bottom line is that Amarillo does not have many restaurants that can be classified as "Fine Dining" therefore the competition is not there.
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Post by sailorwes on Oct 25, 2007 16:10:23 GMT -5
For me, there has always been a suspicion that the out come of such polls may be swayed at times. But people vote for what they are familiar with as well as what they like. The Amarillo Club does not have the same costumer base as Marty’s. I suspect Marty’s has more than OHMS also. For me, there’s no contest for the best business lunch. Amarillo Club would be it.
As for upscale dinning in Amarillo, it could be better, but the improvement seen in OHMS, BL Bistro & Macaroni Joe’s over the last few years is a sign of hope. And I might also add that there being able to stay in business is also a sign of hope. Too many people seem to want to be impressed without having to pay for it. Were that not the case Marty’s might still be called Mason Blanc, which could have given the Amarillo Club competition for a business lunch.
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Post by marked on Oct 25, 2007 16:16:57 GMT -5
OHMS may have the best food, but I don't think cafeteria style serving is the best for business lunches.
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Post by mustakister on Oct 26, 2007 10:39:18 GMT -5
Amarillo is a dressed-down, no-nonsense chicken fried steak and hamburger eating kind of city. The lack of exclusive fine-dining lunch / dinner options is a reflection of the demographics and personal tastes of people here. The small percentage of suit-wearing, cloth napkin kind of lunch patrons is reflected in the limited choices in this area... and, even these kind of folks in Amarillo aren't cut from the same cloth as those from Dallas / Houston. (thank god!) It makes sense that the best downtown eatery for lunch ( in my opinion) goes with a more laid back cafeteria venue. Personally, I prefer this type of laid back atmosphere for business / personal lunch meetings. (my vote for OHMS as the best "fine dining" in Amarillo is based on its dinner service)
I'll pass on any restaurant that requires membership while expertly serving average food. It is obviously intended for Amarillo's so-called elite, and I'll gladly let them have it! As for BL Bistro, that place has promise. (along with sister restaurant Zen 721) The service is not in line with the prices, but that should not be surprising in Amarillo. We simply do not have the labor base to draw enough smart, young, hip servers that take pride in their work, have good attitudes while having bigger career aspirations. Perhaps a 4-year University in the city limits would help? ya think?
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Post by zebrarick on Oct 26, 2007 12:47:26 GMT -5
Bravo Musta. Bravo.
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Post by sailorwes on Oct 27, 2007 22:12:15 GMT -5
Well, now ya done it, you brought up Chicken Fried Steak. So I had to go and look (not home to read the paper) and see if the same place won Best CFS. Yes, it did. If that does not show how askew the poll is, then don’t know what will.
Have to agree that Amarillo could do with some better restaurant service. Sometimes even at the private clubs.
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Post by west-texan on Oct 28, 2007 21:47:43 GMT -5
Speaking of BL Bistro...haven't they shut down? The old bank drive-up building they were in...has had a For Sale sign for some time. The AGN Best of Amarillo poll is always skewed...and the best TV news anchor choice is a complete joke.  That poll often seems to be very biased toward those businesses...who advertise a lot in the AGN. Also...for years Cattle Call had the best and largest chicken fried steak...but they got passed by several years ago...and that restaurant is a pale shadow of what it once was. |
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Post by sailorwes on Oct 29, 2007 10:42:19 GMT -5
One bad thing about being away from home months at a time is it’s hard to keep up.
BL Bistro closed humm. Hate to hear that but might be a sign of why some places need a membership fee too stay in business.
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Post by mustakister on Oct 29, 2007 13:37:12 GMT -5
BL Bistro is definitely not closed. that for sale sign refers to a section of the parking lot only.
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Post by time2fly on Oct 30, 2007 16:07:46 GMT -5
The AGN Best of Amarillo poll is always skewed...and the best TV news anchor choice is a complete joke. I know this is not the correct place to post this...but I was wondering the same thing. How in the world could HE be best TV news anchor. I can't stand to watch him.  |
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Post by zebrarick on Oct 30, 2007 16:31:48 GMT -5
Just who is HE?
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Post by catsmeow on Oct 30, 2007 19:01:35 GMT -5
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Post by horribilis on Oct 31, 2007 19:51:54 GMT -5
What is OHMS?
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Post by mustakister on Nov 1, 2007 10:30:16 GMT -5
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